Solderless connector for insulated wires

ABSTRACT

A solderless insulated wire connector is disclosed which is formed of a unitary piece of dielectric material. The solderless connector includes a centrally disposed resilient electrical contact member which includes a pair of wire gripping notches, and a pair of flexibly hinged, self-locking cover portions for completely enclosing the contact member to complete a solderless connection. The contact member is mounted in a slot which is elongated to facilitate expansion of the contact member as wires are inserted into the wire gripping notches. The flexible hinges secured to the cover portions include sections of reduced thickness which cause the flexible hinges to bend at a particular spot, facilitating alignment of the cover portions with the base portions of the solderless connector structure.

[ Sept. 17, 1974 United States Patent [191 Lawson SOLDERLESS CONNECTORFOR Primary ExaminerJ0seph H. McGlynn INSULATED WIRES Attorney, Agent,or FirmGerald K. Kita [75] Inventor: Gustaf Rudolph Lawson,

Willingboro, NJ.

[73] Assignee: AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

[57] ABSTRACT A solderless insulated wire connector is disclosed whichis formed of a unitary piece of dielectric material. The solderlessconnector includes a centrally disposed resilient electrical contactmember which includes a pair of wire gripping notches, and a pair offlexibly hinged, self-locking cover portions for completely enclosingthe contact member to complete a solderless connection. The contactmember is mounted in a slot which is elongated to facilitate expansionof the contact member as wires are inserted m: m D2 n .wfl 9 N 1 p .b mJ ,S L 053 d M9 mm mm mmmm lt N m L .m C m H 0 FA C UH M 22 6 [l [52]US. 339/99 R into the wire gripping notches. The flexible hinges securedto the cover portions include. sections of re-- duced thickness whichcause the flexible hinges to es mm mu tM no es e m .w f M r m n F .m mmm ms r D th 0 6 PM m m h w n a c a d 6 Dim r m m a m rl den mmm bcc 8899 99 33 33 W "a mAm uhp. s S n, MM mm 6 mTmu .mSEB D am W99 UWM 00G 716 m 7 5 33 SOLDERLESS CONNECTOR FOR INSULATED WIRES CROSS-REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-partapplication of Ser. No. 262,80], filed June 14, 1972. now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates generally to wire connectors, and moreparticularly to connectors for making rapid, solderless connectionsbetween unstripped insulated wires.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

Many situations exist, in the automotive industry for example, in whicha large number of connections must be made in a confined space among aplurality of insulated wires. In such circumstances it is most desirableto use solderless connectors which are compact, easily operable inconfined spaces, and require the use of only a single tool, such as aconventional pliers. In addition, it is most desirable under suchcircumstances to be able to interconnect insulated wires without theneed for stripping insulation from the wires before they areinterconnected.

Many types of solderless connections exist which are generally capableof performing in the manner described hereinabove. However, while thesolderless connectors available in the past have been capable ofperforming the general functions described hereinabove, they have oftenbeen subject to mechanical failure and are generally somewhattime-consuming to install. Naturally, mechanical reliability and longterm endurance are most important in solderless connectors, especiallythose used in automotive vehicles, which are subject to extensivevibration,jostling, and widely varying environmental temperatures. Speedof installation is also a critical factor, since in many instances, itis most desirable to make large numbers of electrical connections inshort time intervals.

Solderless connectors which are typical of those known in the past aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,388,370, to R. A. Elm, issued June ll.I968, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,518 to J. H. Bazille, Jr. et al, issuedApr. 27, 197]. The solderless connectors disclosed in these patentsinclude various features which tend to reduce their mechanicalreliability, increase the time required to install them, and minimizethe selectivity of their operation. For example, the Bazille, Jr. et alpatent referenced above, discloses a resilient contact member which isfirmly embedded in a slotted base member. Although the resilient contactmember is intended to expand laterally as the wires to be connected areinserted into it, the device disclosed in the Bazille, Jr. et al, patentincludes no opening or gap into which the resilient contact member canexpand. Accordingly, upon expansion of the resilient contact member, theentire slotted housing of the device disclosed in this patent mustexpand. This expansion places a stress on the entire solderless contactstructure. and can cause twisting or other types of mechanicaldistortion tending to misalign the self-locking boss and groove assemblydisclosed in the patent. Clearly, these features reduce the mechanicalreliability of the solderless connector disclosed in the Bazille, Jr. etal, patent.

Similarly, the devices disclosed in both of the above referenced patentsinclude cover members secured to base portions by means of flexibleresilient hinges. However, the hinges disclosed in each of these patentsare constructed such that a misalignment can occur in the closure of thecover portion, causing the selflocking feature to operate improperly, ornot at all. Overcoming this problem can result in time-consuming delaysin the installation of the solderless connectors described in thesepatents.

In addition, the devices described in both of the above referencedpatents include only a single cover portion which completely enclosesthe open top of the solderless connector assembly. However, the use of asingle cover portion eliminates any selectivity in the operation of thesolderless connectors disclosed in these patents. For example, it isimpossible, using the devices disclosed in the above referenced patents,to place a first wire into the solderless connector, seal it in placewith the cover portion, and subsequently place a sec- 0nd wire into thesolderless connector without unsealing the first wire placed into theconnector. Similarly, if it is desired to change one of the wirespassing through a solderless connector of the type described in eitherof the above referenced patents, it is necessary to unseal both wirespassing through the connector, rather than simply unsealing the wire tobe replaced. Clearly, this shortcoming can render the simple operationof changing a connection much more complicated than is necessary.

In view of the problems set forth hereinabove, a need has arisen for animproved solderless connector of greater mechanical reliability, havinga minimal installation time, and being capable of selective operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of this invention is toprovide an improved solderless connector for insulated wires.

Another object of this invention is to provide a solderless connector ofimproved mechanical reliability.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel solderlessconnector structure having a bifurcated cover portion.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedsolderless connector including a resilient contact member. and having anextended slot to permit the resilient contact member to expand withoutwarping or bending the body of the solderless connector.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedflexibile hinge structure for use with a solderless wire connector.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel solderlessconnector having an improved selflocking structure.

Briefly, these and other objects of the invention are achieved byproviding a solderless connector including a grooved base having aresilient contact member inserted into an extended slot therein. A pairof cover portions are secured to opposite sides of the grooved baseportion by means of pairs of flexible hinge members. Each flexible hingemember includes a reduced portion for causing it to bend at apreselected location, thereby aligning each of the cover portions withan appropriate section of the grooved base member. A selflocking featureis provided for holding each of the cover portions in place when theconnector is fully closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete appreciation of theinvention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readilyobtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the solderless connector of the instantinvention in a fully open configuration;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away end view of the solderless connector of the presentinvention taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, illustrating the mountingof the flexible connector member of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view ofthe solderless connector structure of thepresent invention illustrating in more detail the self-locking featurethereof;

FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away end view of the solderless connector ofthe present invention illustrating a completed connection using thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the solderless connector of the presentinvention illustrated with one electrical wire connected electrically tothe connector and with another electrical wire in readiness forconnection to the connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings.wherein like reference numerals designate identical or correspondingparts throughout the several views and more particularly to FIG. 1thereof, a preferred embodiment of the solderless connector structure ofthe present invention is shown in perspective, and is designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. The solderless connectorstructure 10 includes a base portion 12 having first and second wirereceiving grooves 14 and 16 formed therein. The wire receiving groovesor channels 14 and 16 are generally semi-circular in cross-sectionalconfiguration, and have a diameter which is somewhat larger thanconventional electrical wire having an insulation coating thereon. Forexample, the diameter of the wire receiving grooves 14 and 16 may bemade large enough to accommodate 14 through 18 gauge solid or strandedwire having a vinyl or polyethylene insulation coating thereon. Clearly,the structure may be formed with grooves or larger or smaller diameters.depending upon the size wire to be used with it.

The wire receiving groove 14 is bounded by a central ridge 18, locatedalong the center line of the base portion 12, and a side ridge 20,located along one edge of the base portion 12. Similarly. the wirereceiving groove 16 is bound by the central ridge l8, and another sideridge 22. located at the opposite side of the base portion 12 from theside ridge 20.

A contact member 24 is positioned within a slot 26 which extends acrossthe width of the base portion 12 of the solderless connector structure10. The contact member 24, which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3,is preferably constructed of a conventional highly conductive connectormetal, such as phosphor bronze sheet or cartridge brass plate, having athickness of approximately 0.032 inch. Such materials are characterizedby high conductivity, and yet have great mechanical strength and arehighly resilient. The contact member 24 includes a central body 28having a pair of resilient fingers 30 and 32 formed integral withopposite sides of the central body 28. A wire gripping notch or slot 34separates the resilient finger 30 from the central body 28, while anidentical wire gripping notch or slot 36 separates the resilient finger32 from the central body 28. The slots have a width normally less thanthe diameter of the inner conductors of the wires to be inserted intothe slots. The slots further taper outwardly at their upper ends.

As mentioned hereinabove, the contact member 24 is positioned within aslot 26. The slot 26 extends across the width of the base portion 12 ofthe solderless connector structure 10, and extends above the level ofthe ridges 18, 20 and 22 into the inner surfaces ofa pair of upstandingarms 38 and 40, which are formed integral with the base portion 12. Asillustrated more clearly in FIG. 3, the total width of the slot 26 isgreater near the top of the upstanding arms 38 and 40 than near thelower portion thereof located in the base portion 12. This extendedwidth of the slot 26 provides room for the resilient fingers 30 and 32to flex outwardly from the central body 28 of the contact member 24 whenwires are inserted into the gripping notches 32 and 34. For example. apair of wires 42 and 44, each containing a conductive central portion 46surrounded by an insulator 48 are illustrated in FIG. 3. The wire 46 isshown positioned above the wire gripping notch 34, and the conductiveinner portion 46 thereof is shown as having a diameter somewhat largerthan the width of the wire gripping notch 34. Similarly, the wire 44 isshown as inserted into the wire gripping notch 36, in the positionoccupied by wires fully coupled to the solderless connector structure ofthe present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the contact member 24 has cutthrough the insulation 48 of the wire 44, so that the conductive metalof the contact member 24 is directly in engagement with the conductiveinner portion 46 of the wire 44. In addition. insertion of the wire 44into the wire gripping notch 36 has flexed the resilient finger 32 inthe direction illustrated by an arrow 50, so that the resilient finger32 has occupied the wider upper portion of the slot 26. Similarly, theresilient finger 30 will flex outwardly from the central body 28 of thecontact member 24 as the wire 42 is inserted into the wire grippingnotch 34. However, as is clear from FIG. 3, the outwardly flexedresilient fingers 30 and 32 do not cause a buckling or outward bendingof the base portion 12 of the solderless connector structure 10 of thepresent invention. but merely occupy the widened portions of the slot26, provided for this very purpose. Accordingly. the structure of thepresent invention permits the insertion of wires into the contact member24 without causing buckling or unnecessary bending of the base portion12 of the solderless connector structure 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bifurcated cover and flexible hingestructure of the solderless connector of the present invention are shownin greater detail. More particularly. the bifurcated cover assembly ofthe present invention includes a pair of substantially identical coversections 50 and 52. Each cover section includes a body portion 54including a wire receiving groove or channel 56 therein. Each bodyportion 54 is substantially identical in general configuration to onehalf of the base portion 12 of the solderless connector structure 10,and each wire receiving groove or channel 56 possesses substantially thesame dimensions as the wire receiving grooves or channels 14 and 16.Each of the cover sections 50 and 52 is joined to the body portion 12 bya pair of hinge arms or hinge elements 58. Each hinge arm or element 58includes an elbow section 60 of reduced thickness. The cover sections 50and 52 joined by means of the hinged arms 58 to the base portion 12, arepreferably formed by conventional injection molding techniques from asingle body of a tough, resilient flexibly polymeric insulatingmaterial. For example, the entire solderless connector structure may beformed of a single piece of polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, oranother suitable type of plastic material. Various types of additivesmay also be supplied to the polymeric material before the solderlessconnector structure is formed to provide the completed structure withvarious desirable characteristics. For example. a flame retardantmaterial may be added to the polymeric plastic to reduce thesusceptibility of the solderless connector structure to destruction byfire. Similarly, different types of pigments may be added to the polymerfor identification purposes.

The solderless connector structure 10 of the present invention isinitially manufactured in the form illustrated in HO. 2. That is, thehinge arms 58 are straight, and extend directly outwardly from oppositesides of the base portion 12. Thus, when the solderless connectorstructure of the present invention is to be used, each of the hinge arms58 must be bent in order that each of the cover sections 50 and 52 maybe positioned over the open top of the base portion 12. However, it isimportant that the cover sections 50 and 52 properly align themselveswith appropriate sections of the base portion 12 each time the hingearms 58 are bent. The reduced elbow portions 60 of each of the hingearms 58 provide localized portions of reduced cross-sectional area toinsure that the hinge arms always bend at a predictable point. Thus, theelbow portions 60 insure uniform bending of the hinge arms and a properalignment or registration between the cover sections 50 and 52 and thebase portion 12. Accordingly. the cover portions 50 and 52 of thesolderless connector structure 10 are self-aligning, thereby providing afeature which greatly facilitates the installation of the solderlessconnector of the present invention. The latching elements 68 engageagainst the outer surface of the corresponding upright 38 or 40. Theweakened portions 60 insure that hinges 58 buckle and prevent stiffnessin the arms 58 which would cause the latching elements 68 to be pivotedpast the uprights 38 and 40 and into the channels l4 and 16.

The self-aligning feature is particularly advantageous when thesolderless connector of the present invention is to be used in aconfined environment. or in an environment in which the personinstalling the solderless connector structure cannot see the solderlessconnector as he is installing it. In such circumstances, theselfaligning feature greatly reduces the time required for installingthe solderless connector. since it enables the installer to close thecover sections accurately and quickly without need for seeing them asthey are being manipulated.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the locking or latching structure of thepresent invention is shown in greater detail. More particularly, alocking boss 62 is shown formed integral with the upstanding arm 38 ofbase portion 12, and extending outwardly therefrom. A similar lockingboss is shown formed integral with the upstanding arm 40 in FIG. 1. Eachof the cover sections 50 and 52 includes a channel 66 in the bodyportion 54 thereof which is adapted to interfit with one of theupstanding arms 38 and 40. Similarly, each of the cover sections 50 and52 includes a resilient locking rung or latching element 68 which isadapted to engage a flat lower surface 70 at the base of each of thelocking bosses 62 and 64.

Each of the cover sections 50 and 52 is recessed, and more specifically,includes a groove 72 which is designed to fit over the upper edgeportion of the contact member 24 when the cover sections are in theirclosed position. In the center of each groove 72 is a solid segment 74which is designed to fit into one of the wire gripping notches 34 and 36when the cover sections 50 and 52 are in their closed positions. Thesolid segments 74 engage the upper side of corresponding insulationcovered wires in the corresponding channels 14 and 16 and tend to driveor to force the wires positioned in the wire gripping notches 34 and 36more deeply into the gripping notches.

As shown more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 6, the groove 72 in each ofthe cover sections 50 and 52 is outwardly flared from either side of thesolid segment 74. More particularly, the sidewalls 73 of the groove 72are outwardly inclined with respect to each other preferably at aninclined angle of The sidewalls 73 of each of the grooves 72 convergetoward each other adjacent to the solid segment 74 of each coversection. The least measured distance separating the converging sidewalls73 is defined by the length of the solid segment 74, which length ispreferably twice the thickness of the brass plate contact member 24,such that the corresponding contact member 24 will readily be receivedwithin the corresponding grooves 72 when the cover sections 50 and 52are in their closed positions. The width of the contact member 24 willthereby be unrestricted within the grooves 72, allowing it substantialfreedom of entry therein without the sidewalls 73 confining the contactmember 24. The solid segment 74 extends the surface ofthe wire receivinggrooves 56 across the corresponding grooves 72 purposely providing thegrooves 72 with a discontinuous portion in the corresponding coversections 50 and 52. The solid segments 74 are specifically provided toforce the wires into the wire gripping notches 34 and 36. Accordingly,when the contact member 24 is received into the corresponding grooves72, substantial movement of the contact is permitted within the groovesdue to a substantial clearance between the contact member and theoutwardly flared configurations of the groove sidewalls 73. The solidsegments 74 accordingly support the wires along a continuous unbrokensurface of the wire receiving grooves 56, with the segments 74 ensuringthat the wires are forcibly inserted into the wire gripping notches 34and 36 when the cover sections 50 and 52 are in their closed positions,despite the possibility of substantial movement of the contact member 24within the non-confining grooves 72.

In operation, the solderless connector structure 10 of the presentinvention is presumed to be initially in an open configuration, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. A first wire is then positioned at the topof one of the wire gripping notches 34 and 36. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the wire 42 is positioned over the wire gripping notch 34. Thewire may then be forced into the wire gripping notch by the directapplication of pressure to the wire, at which time the edge portions ofthe contact member 24 surrounding the appropriate gripping notch or slotslice through the insulation 48 surrounding the wire, to forcibly swedgeand compressively engage opposite sides of the inner conductor therein,and form a direct metal-to-metal contact with the inner conductiveportion of the wire.

Alternatively, a wire may simply be positioned at the top of one of thewire gripping notches, and an appropriate cover section 50 or 52 maythen be bent into a partially closed position, as shown in FIG. 4, sothat it is positioned over the wire. In this position, it will be notedthat the upstanding arm, 38 for example, is positioned in the channel56, so that the cover section is appropriately aligned with the baseportion 12. Pressure may then be applied to the top surface 76 of thecover section 50 and to the bottom surface 78 of the base portion 50 bymeans of a tool such as a pliers. forcing the wire into the wiregripping notch. In this case, as illustrated more clearly in FIG. 5, thesolid segment 74 presses the wire into the appropriate wire grippingnotch. When sufficient pressure is applied, the locking rung or latchingelement 68 passes over the locking boss 62, and is retained in positionby the flat lower surface 70 of the locking boss. This completes thecoupling of one wire to the solderless connector structure of thepresent invention. Clearly, two wires may simultaneously be clamped intothe solderless connector structure of the present invention byperforming the operation described above simultaneously using two wires,and appropriately positioning both cover sections 50 and 52. However,the separate cover sections of the present invention cause it to besubstantially more flexible in operation, since a first wire may becompletely locked in place at one time, and at a subsequent time asecond wire may be locked into place. Furthermore, if it is desirable tochange one of the wires passing through the solderless connector of thepresent invention, it is possible to open one of the cover sections,leaving the other cover section firmly locked in place, therebyeliminating the risk that the other wire passing through the connectormay inadvertently become detached from the connector.

FIG. 5 illustrates the connector structure in its closed and lockedcondition. As illustrated in FIG. 5, once each of the cover sections 50and 52 is completely closed, each locking rung or latching element 68snaps into position over the appropriate locking boss 62 or 64, securingor locking the cover sections 50 and 52 individually in closed positionsover the wires, and restraining the wires 42 and 44 within thesolderless connector structure 10, and completing an insulatedelectrical connection between the wires.

The wire engaging surfaces 66 of the cover portions are generallysemi-cylindrical grooves which cooperate with the channels 14 or 16 ofthe base portion which are also semi-cylindrical grooves, whereby whenthe covers are closed on the base portion, each of the wires therein aresubstantially fully enclosed in a generally cylindrical passageway.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, the wire receiving cover portion may befurther provided with a relatively thin web of dielectric materialcovering one end of the wire receiving groove 56 therein. Then as shownin FIG. 6, the cover portion 50 may be utilized to electricallyterminate or connect the contact member 24 to the end portion of aninsulation covered electrical wire 42' illustrated in phantom line inFIG. 6. The end portion of the wire 42 will be located against thesurface of the wire receiving groove 56 with the terminal end of thewire against or adjacent to the web 80 thereby positively locating thewire 42' for proper location in the cover portion 50, such that uponenclosure of the cover portion 50, the end portion of the wire 42' willbe terminated within the wire receiving notch 44 of the contact member24. Thus with the connector 10 provided with the web 80 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 6, the wire 42 can only be terminated with its end portionwithin the connector 10. However, as shown in FIG. 5, when it is desiredto terminate a wire 42 which is to extend entirely through the wirereceiving groove 56 of the cover portion 50, the web 80 will beeliminated, during manufacture of the connector 10, or if provided,broken away or otherwise removed, to enable the wire 42 to extendentirely through the cover portion 50, such that upon enclosure of thecover portion 50, the wire 42 will be forcibly inserted and terminatedelectrically within the notch 34 of the contact member 24. Thus, thepresent invention may be utilized with or without the web 80 as desired.

The solderless connector structure of the present invention can be usedto make both X and T connections between insulated wires. In making an Xconnection, two wires which pass completely through the connectorstructure are used, However, in making a T connection, one wire passingthrough the connector, and one wire which simply extends slightly beyondthe contact member 24 is used. Closure of the cover sections 50 and 52will then hold both wires firmly in position.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

What is claimed is:

I. An electrical connector for making an electrical connection betweentwo insulation covered wires, comprising: a base of electricalinsulation material having at least two parallel channels for receivingsaid insulation covered wires in spaced, side-by-side relation, anarrow, vertical supporting slot extending transversely across both saidchannels, an electrically conducting, resilient contact platefrictionally supported in said slot and having at least two upwardlyopening contact slots respectively centered relative to said channels,said contact slots having, at said channels, a width normally less thanthe diameter of the inner conductors of said wires, and taperingoutwardly at their upper ends, first and second covers of insulationmaterial formed integrally with said base, located adjacent oppositesides of said base and flexibly connected to opposite sides of said baseby integral hinge arms, each of which extends between the inner edge ofone of said covers and the adjacent edge of said base, each of saidcovers being pivotable independently of the other by bending theintervening hinge arm to cause said cover to overlie only one of saidchannels, each of said covers being recessed to receive the upper edgeof said contact plate and having a wire engaging surface adapted toengage the upper side of an insulation covered wire in one of saidchannels and drive said wire downwardly into one of said contact slots,causing said contact plate to slice through said insulation and thesidewalls of the slot to forcibly swedge and compressively engageopposite sides of the inner conductor therein, cooperative latchingelements integral with said base and with each of said covers to locksaid covers individually in closed positions over the respective wires,thereby completing an insulated connection between said wires.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base is provided withintegral projecting upright portions having at their inner surfacesslots which frictionally engage and support the end edges of saidcontact plate.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the latch means in saidbase consist of cam projections integrally formed on the outer surfacesof said upright portions and the cooperating latch portions on saidcovers consist of hook-like members integrally formed at the inner sidesof said covers.

4. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wire-engaging surfaceof each of said covers is in the form of a generally semi-cylindricalgroove and the channels in said base are also in the form of generallysemi-cylindrical grooves, whereby when said covers are closed on saidbase each of the wires therein is substantially fully enclosed in agenerally cylindrical passageway.

5. A connector as claimed in claim 1 in which said hinge arms areprovided with localized portions of reduced cross-sectional area topromote uniform bending of said hinge arms and facilitate accurateregistration of said covers with the appropriate portions of said base.

6. A connector as claimed in claim 1 in which the recess in each of saidcovers is divided by a narrow segment of said wire engaging surfacewhich is positioned to project into one of the contact slots in saidcontact plate upon closure of said cover and thereby insure movement ofsaid insulation covered wire downwardly into said contact slot.

1. An electrical connector for making an electrical connection betweentwo insulation covered wires, comprising: a base of electricalinsulation material having at least two parallel channels for receivingsaid insulation covered wires in spaced, side-by-side relation, anarrow, vertical supporting slot extending transversely across both saidchannels, an electrically conducting, resilient contact platefrictionally supported in said slot and having at least two upwardlyopening contact slots respectively centered relative to said channels,said contact slots having, At said channels, a width normally less thanthe diameter of the inner conductors of said wires, and taperingoutwardly at their upper ends, first and second covers of insulationmaterial formed integrally with said base, located adjacent oppositesides of said base and flexibly connected to opposite sides of said baseby integral hinge arms, each of which extends between the inner edge ofone of said covers and the adjacent edge of said base, each of saidcovers being pivotable independently of the other by bending theintervening hinge arm to cause said cover to overlie only one of saidchannels, each of said covers being recessed to receive the upper edgeof said contact plate and having a wire engaging surface adapted toengage the upper side of an insulation covered wire in one of saidchannels and drive said wire downwardly into one of said contact slots,causing said contact plate to slice through said insulation and thesidewalls of the slot to forcibly swedge and compressively engageopposite sides of the inner conductor therein, cooperative latchingelements integral with said base and with each of said covers to locksaid covers individually in closed positions over the respective wires,thereby completing an insulated connection between said wires.
 2. Aconnector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base is provided withintegral projecting upright portions having at their inner surfacesslots which frictionally engage and support the end edges of saidcontact plate.
 3. A connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the latchmeans in said base consist of cam projections integrally formed on theouter surfaces of said upright portions and the cooperating latchportions on said covers consist of hook-like members integrally formedat the inner sides of said covers.
 4. A connector as claimed in claim 1wherein the wire-engaging surface of each of said covers is in the formof a generally semi-cylindrical groove and the channels in said base arealso in the form of generally semi-cylindrical grooves, whereby whensaid covers are closed on said base each of the wires therein issubstantially fully enclosed in a generally cylindrical passageway.
 5. Aconnector as claimed in claim 1 in which said hinge arms are providedwith localized portions of reduced cross-sectional area to promoteuniform bending of said hinge arms and facilitate accurate registrationof said covers with the appropriate portions of said base.
 6. Aconnector as claimed in claim 1 in which the recess in each of saidcovers is divided by a narrow segment of said wire engaging surfacewhich is positioned to project into one of the contact slots in saidcontact plate upon closure of said cover and thereby insure movement ofsaid insulation covered wire downwardly into said contact slot.